Maternity Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Ceisteanna (97)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

97. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the 17% deficit in the number of midwifery staff needed to run maternity services cited by the master of the Coombe hospital on 13 September 2016 at a patient safety conference run by the State Claims Agency; the steps he will take to address this deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30354/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In May, the HSE granted approval to the Hospital Groups to recruit an additional 100 midwives. The allocation of these midwives was informed by the findings of the Birth Rate Plus midwifery workforce project.

In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.